Mens Asics Gel Nimbus 20

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Our verdict

The flagship neutral shoe boasts first-rate cushioning. It is responsive and supportive and delivers a smooth ride without being overly soft. The Nimbus range delivers again and the 20 is a seriously good running shoe.

First impressions

There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that hardly anything has been changed from the Nimbus 19, the good news is that the Nimbus 19 was a fantastic running shoe! Now in its 20th year, this anniversary edition is still a top end neutral smooth riding running shoe and it boasts the same excellent midsole and outsole as the previous model.

The cushioning is great thanks to the FluidRide 2.0 midsole, FlyteFoam bottom layer midsole and SpEVA top layer midsole, which increases bounce-back characteristics while decreasing midsole breakdown. This layer is gender specific with the women’s shoe having a greater heel to toe drop of 13mm versus the men’s 10mm drop.

While the Gel-Nimbus 20 offers great cushioning, it is not overly soft and is better for it. It is also flexible and lighter than it looks.

All that said, there have been a few tweaks to the shoe. The mesh upper is new and now lighter. It looks very good up close and is extremely well-made. The mesh has been opened up to accommodate those runners with a broader foot while still fitting the average width foot snugly. The heel counter has also been revised to offer a snugger fit but is made of a softer material which offers a more comfortable feel at the heel.

Midsole

As in the previous model, the Gel-Nimbus 20 features rear and forefoot gel cushioning within a FlyteFoam midsole topped by a Spevafoam. The result? A beautifully plush and cushioned ride.

Upper

The new upper features a number of different mesh weaves that allows for more room for the broader foot and more room in the toe box area. The overlays wrap and support the foot without adding seams. The discrete lace eyelets disburse lace tension enhancing upper comfort. They feel good on the foot and we think a slight improvement over the Nimbus 19.

Sole

The Nimbus 20 offers a AHAR heel plug for durability and durasponge forefoot which delivers a softly cushioned feeling under the forefoot. The trusstic system supports the midfoot and works with the guidance line to provide a system that clearly guides the foot forward.

Conclusion

A slightly lighter upper offers more room for the foot in this tweaked high-end cruiser. It offers a fine, not overly soft cushioned ride and the right degree of support for a neutral shoe. It is exceptionally comfortable and will make those long runs more bearable!